John W. Schmidt

John Wayne Schmidt was born in Turtle Lake North, Dakota on June 18, 1948 and peacefully passed away on January 17, 2021 at Ivy Long Term Care Facility in Great Falls.

John graduated from Shelby High School.  During this time John soloed out for his pilot’s license.  John enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in Germany transporting arms.  When he returned to Shelby, he did many different jobs such as lumber mill worker, construction laborer, railroad section crew, mobile home set up crew, garage door & genie door opener installer.  John worked in Washington D.C. installing garage doors and openers.  After time John decided he was going to try something different and went to surveyor school.  He completed 1 ½ years but did not complete the program.

John enjoyed playing his guitar, listening to good music, dancing, enjoyed being around people and discussing worldly things.  You see, John was an eccentric in his own way.  He was very generous and would give you the shirt off his back if he could.  John had many friends and acquaintances and he will be truly missed.

John is survived by his brother, Marlin (Rebecca) Schmidt; sister, Debbie Fisher; brother, Tim (Dawn) Schmidt and their children Kayla, Christian, Owen, and their children; niece, Tammy Schmidt Barkus; nephew, Chance (Vangie) Fisher; niece, Jennifer (Glen) Geisen and their daughter, Johna; daughter, Lisa McDonald; grand nephew, Weston & Shy Moore and family; grand niece, Justis Moore & family; many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father, Reuben Schmidt; mother, Sylvia Peterson; and step-father, Douglas Peterson.

John, we love you and we will all be together one day.

Visitation will be Monday, February 1, from 5 to 7pm at Asper/Whitted Funeral Chapel Shelby. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 2, at 11:00 am at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. Burial with military honors to follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Social distancing protocol will be enforced.